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Introduction
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01.Product Tour
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02.Color
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03.Noise
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04.Resolution
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05.Video
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06.Sample Photos
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07.Playback
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08.Hardware
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09.Controls
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10.Design & Handling
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11.Casio EX-FC100 Comparison
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12.Fujifilm F200EXR Comparison
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13.Sony DSC-T900 Comparison
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14.Conclusion
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15.Photo Gallery
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16.Comments
Canon PowerShot SD970 IS
Previous: Page 2
ColorNext: Page 4
ResolutionNoise
Image noise was low overall, particularly at higher ISOs, but some cameras tested better at ISOs below 800.
Noise (9.69)
The speckles and imperfections you see in digital photos, usually in areas of flat color, are called image noise, and the Canon was better than most compact cameras at keeping this problem under control. To test for image noise, we use two illumination levels, a bright 3000 lux and a restrained 60 lux, which corresponds to a fairly low indoor lighting level. We shoot the color chart at each available ISO level, and use Imatest to analyze the resulting images for noise. More on how we test noise.
The SD970 IS noise performance follows the same pattern in both bright and dim lighting, with not much difference in visible noise between the two. The camera starts out at its lowest ISO setting with image noise below 1%, a good result, and the noise level climbs steadily but not sharply as ISOs increase. The decrease at ISO 800 indicates that an automatic noise reduction filter kicks in at this level.
| Noise Comparisons | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ISO 100 | ISO 400 | ISO 800 | ISO 1600 | |
| 60 Lux |  |
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| 3000 Lux |  |
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The Canon is the most consistent performer in our test group. While the Fuji and Casio remain lower in the midrange ISOs, when we reach the ISO 800 mark and beyond the Canon produces substantially cleaner photos, and its at these higher ISO settings that image noise is most noticeable.
The overall noise score is based on measurements across the ISO range. As shown below, the Canon SD970 IS and Casio EX-FC100 posted nearly identical scores, with the Fuji close behind, and only the Sony delivering problematic performance here.
ISO (7.50)
The SD970 IS provides full-resolution ISO settings from 80 to 1600, which can be set manually or left on ISO Auto for the camera to control. There is also an ISO 3200 setting available at greatly reduced 1600 × 1200 (2 megapixel) resolution.
| ISO Comparisons | |||
|---|---|---|---|
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| Canon PowerShot SD970 IS | Casio Exilim EX-FC100 | Fujifilm FinePix F200EXR | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T900 |
| ISO Low | |||
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ISO 80
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ISO 100
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ISO 80
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ISO 80
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| Canon PowerShot SD970 IS | Casio Exilim EX-FC100 | Fujifilm FinePix F200EXR | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T900 |
| ISO 200 | |||
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| Canon PowerShot SD970 IS | Casio Exilim EX-FC100 | Fujifilm FinePix F200EXR | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T900 |
| ISO 400 | |||
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| Canon PowerShot SD970 IS | Casio Exilim EX-FC100 | Fujifilm FinePix F200EXR | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T900 |
| ISO 800 | |||
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| Canon PowerShot SD970 IS | Casio Exilim EX-FC100 | Fujifilm FinePix F200EXR | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T900 |
| ISO 1600 | |||
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| Canon PowerShot SD970 IS | Casio Exilim EX-FC100 | Fujifilm FinePix F200EXR | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T900 |
| ISO 3200 | |||
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| Canon PowerShot SD970 IS | Casio Exilim EX-FC100 | Fujifilm FinePix F200EXR | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T900 |
| ISO 6400 | |||
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| Canon PowerShot SD970 IS | Casio Exilim EX-FC100 | Fujifilm FinePix F200EXR | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T900 |
| ISO 12800 | |||
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| Canon PowerShot SD970 IS | Casio Exilim EX-FC100 | Fujifilm FinePix F200EXR | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T900 |
NOTE: The images above are not used in our testing or scoring, but are included here to show real-world examples of the differences between cameras at the various ISO settings.
Shop for the Canon SD970 IS
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